THE headteacher of a Burnley school said he was proud to be its figurehead at his first prize giving evening.

David Hinks was speaking at Towneley High School's prize evening which will be one of the last before the school is replaced with a new one in July 2006.

Mr Hinks spoke of the new vision for the Towneley school and promised to minimise disruption when the new school opened.

Congratulating the pupils for their hard work he said they should be proud of their achievements, not only academic but extra curricular.

During the last academic year the school's tennis club won four county trophies, the year seven football team won the Burnley inter-schools cup for the first time, the brass band won three trophies, and the strength of performing arts at the school has made the Towneley school apply for specialist status.

Mr Hinks praised former students who were present for their GCSE grades and said there were high expectations for the current year 10 and 11.

He added: "If students are in school, learning and taking advantage of all we offer at Towneley they will achieve."